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AU Delegation to Meet With Libyan Rebels

   VOA News  April 11, 2011

   A delegation of African leaders is heading to the Libyan
   rebel-stronghold of Benghazi Monday to present a plan for a cease-fire
   they say has already been accepted by Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
   African Union officials say the proposal calls for an immediate
   cease-fire, talks between the rebels and the government, the protection
   of foreign nationals in Libya and the extension of humanitarian
   assistance to civilians.
   Rebel leaders said Monday they will consider the proposal, but are
   insisting that Gadhafi step down.
   Libyan officials have said that is not an option.
   South African President Jacob Zuma and three other African heads of
   state met with Gadhafi for several hours at his compound in Tripoli on
   Sunday.
   The South African leader also called on NATO to stop airstrikes on
   government targets to "give a cease-fire a chance."
   Meanwhile, NATO airstrikes have pushed loyalist forces out of the
   strategic eastern city of Ajdabiya, reportedly allowing rebels to
   reestablish control there.
   NATO says its airstrikes Sunday destroyed 11 government tanks near
   Ajdabiya and 14 near the western rebel-held city of Misrata. Lieutenant
   General Charles Bouchard says the strikes were needed because
   pro-Gadhafi forces were brutally shelling Libyans.
   Medics and reporters say the fighting at Ajdabiya has killed at least
   12 people during the past few days.
   Zuma was joined by the presidents of Mauritania, Mali and Congo on his
   mediation mission as well as a representative from Uganda.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

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